Look Inside Yourself…to Find Your Greatest Treasure

We’re constantly told to “follow our dreams” and “maximize our potential,” but these phrases can feel vague. How do you discover what your dreams are, and which aspects of yourself you truly want to develop? To guide this journey, recent research and the wisdom of notable thinkers point us toward a foundational truth: our greatest treasure lies within us. Each person can find it by nurturing self-awareness, setting growth-focused goals, and leveraging structured approaches to understand own talents and aspirations.

Start with Self-Awareness: Discovering Your Authentic Self

The first step in understanding our potential lies in self-awareness. Self-awareness involves a deep, honest look at who we are—our strengths, values, and the ways we impact others. This is a skill we can cultivate over time through practices like reflection and feedback, according to London, Sessa, and Shelley’s 2023 review. By using tools such as regular journaling, self-assessments, or even soliciting feedback from trusted friends and mentors, we begin to identify our authentic interests and talents. For feedback, it is important to carefully select whom to ask: it should only be people you admire, whose life you would want, and who have your best interest at heart. In truth, this can make the circle fairly small. However, finding your ‘feedback board’ may be the best investment you ever made.

Psychologist Adam Grant emphasizes the power of feedback in refining our self-perception. He often discusses ways to achieve clarity in our personal and professional lives, reminding us that the more accurately we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to pursue meaningful goals.

Define Your Vision: Setting Growth-Oriented Goals

Once you begin to understand your talents and values, it’s time to translate that knowledge into a vision for your future. Creating a life vision means developing clear, achievable goals that describe where you want to be. Intrinsic motivation is key here: focusing on goals that genuinely resonate with who you are leads to greater well-being and resilience. Rather than choosing goals for external rewards or societal validation alone, it’s more fulfilling to focus on personal growth, skill development, or relationships.

This process aligns with the principles of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) which asserts that meaningful personal goals drive sustained motivation. When these growth-focused goals are consistent with our values, we experience a greater sense of fulfillment and are more likely to persevere during challenges. Think about the dreams that reflect what truly matters to you: Is it creative expression, advancing in a particular career, or making a difference in others’ lives? Or a combination of these? James Clear in ‘Atomic Habits’ shows that it can make sense to formulate the vision as ‘the person you want to be’.

A Few People Have Been Thinking About This

For those looking to deepen their journey of self-discovery and development, connecting with prominent thinkers or time-tested philosophies can offer further insights. Simon Sinek, known for his emphasis on finding your “Why,” provides actionable guidance on aligning life goals with core beliefs. James Clear also shares practical advice on habit-building—a crucial aspect of nurturing talents and staying aligned with your long-term vision. If you prefer approaches with centuries of practice, explore the Japanese concept of Ikigai. Or Ignatian spirituality, which is not unsimilar to Ikigai in seeking to 'align our gifts and aspirations with what we see as the deepest needs of our world.'

Conclusion: Your Journey to Treasure

Finding the treasure within requires patience and a commitment to understanding ourselves. By fostering self-awareness, setting meaningful, growth-focused goals, and leveraging structured methods, we create a path toward self-actualization. As researchers and thought leaders remind us, the journey is a continuous process. Your greatest treasure isn’t something waiting to be found outside; it’s the unique combination of talents, dreams, and strengths that you possess and that can make a difference. Commit to the journey of self-discovery, and over time, you’ll see yourself grow into the person you aspire to become.

Yours sincerely,

Rebekka

PS: Where are you on your self-discovery journey? What have you experienced? Please comment below.